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Track: Waiting for the Axe to Fall
Artist: Gil Scott-Heron
Album: Real Eyes

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Name: Gil Scott-Heron
Spotify Genres: spoken word, jazz funk
Followers: 388,574
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Biography

US singer, spoken-word, activist and author of Black American (maternal) and Jamaican (paternal) descent. Born: April 1, 1949 (Chicago, IL, USA) Died: May 27, 2011 (New York, NY, USA) American poet, musician, and author known for his 1970s and 1980s work as a spoken word soul performer and his collaborative work with musician Brian Jackson, featuring a musical fusion of jazz, blues and soul music, as well as lyrical content concerning social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles. The music of these albums, most notably Pieces of a Man and Winter in America in the early 1970s, influenced and helped engender later African-American music genres such as hip hop and neo soul. Scott-Heron’s recording work is often associated with black militant activism and has received much critical acclaim for one of his most well-known compositions “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”.

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Release: Gil Scott-Heron - Johannesburg / Waiting For The Axe To Fall
Year: 1983
Genres: Funk / Soul
Styles: Funk, Disco

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Source: MusicBrainz

LYRICS

Brother livin' in a cell,
Doin' time in a county jail,
Now you might think his life is hell,
But he told me, first room he ever had to himself
He's just, waitin' for the axe to fall,
Sometimes lord I think that's all,
When you're head is on a block
ain't no way for it to stop
You're just waitin' for the axe to fall.

Brother served in Viet Nam,
and found out no one gives a damn.
Agent Orange fell on his camp (but everybody went deaf)
Brother turned around on Uncle Sam.
Waiting for the axe to fall;
Sometimes, Lord I think that's all.
When your head is in the noose
and won't nobody turn you loose
you're waiting for the axe to fall.

Sister on the welfare line,
Examining the threads of her life,
She never thought she'd be cheatin' and lyin'
Just makin' sure her and her kids survive
It's gettin' tougher just, waitin' for the axe to fall
Sometimes lord I think that's all
When you're head is on the block
and ain't nobody trying to stop
You're just waitin' for the axe to fall

Last night grandma should got shook
'cause someone took her pocketbook
She ain't safe in the neighborhood
'cause too many youngin's up to no good
They're just, waitin' for the axe to fall
Sometimes lord I think that's all
When your head is in the noose
and won't nobody turn you loose
You're waitin' for the axe to fall